Baylor set to lose defensive line coach to Oregon State

The Hawaii native will be returning to the sidelines for his alma matter

Nov 1, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. (7) is tackled by Baylor Bears defensive lineman Jackie Marshall (0) during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

First reported by CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, Baylor Bears defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield will be departing Waco to take on the same role at Oregon State.

RELATED: Baylor early signing day tracker: Every player coming to the program in 2026

Breckterfield will be joining a revamped staff in Corvallis, as former Beaver head man Trent Bray was fired after an 0-7 start, going 5-14 in his short stint as the head coach. Recently, Oregon State hired former Alabama offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Jamarcus Shepherd, who has previous head coaching experience at both Washington and Washington State.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Shepherd, whose hire has been widely praised amongst pundits and the college football landscape, makes Breckterfield one of the first hires on his new staff. Breckterfield is a former Oregon State defensive line standout who still ranks second in program history in sacks and tackles for loss. Breckterfield started his power conference coaching career with UCLA in 2011, before spending three years working with interior defensive linemen at Pittsburgh from 2012-14. He then went on this spend five seasons in Wisconsin, before being a part of Clark Lea's first staff at Vanderbilt for the 2021 season.

While coaching instability is exactly the last thing that Baylor needs with no athletic director and Dave Aranda's future uncertain past next season, Baylor fans know this defensive unit has not been a strong point, and a potential upgrade with the defensive line coach could lead to a potential upgrade. Baylor has one of the least effective pass-rushing units in the Big 12 in Breckterfield's two years, coming in 8th with 23 sacks last season, and their 12 this year being last in the conference.

More From Baylor On SIEmpty heading

• Early Signing Day: Productive 4-star WR London Smith signs with Baylor Football
• Early Signing Day: Liberty Christian QB Quinn Murphy signs with Baylor Football
• How one respected NBA Draft analyst views Baylor's potential draftees
• Baylor loses another football commit ahead of early signing day
• Takeaways from Baylor's win over Sacramento State